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Four therapy ponies found injured in field

James DiamondWest of England
News imageWhite Lodge Vet Clinic A pony, standing in a barn, looks towards the camera. It has largely brown fur but with a white stripe across its body just behind its front legs. It's back left hoof is bandaged, while hair is missing from its front left leg. White Lodge Vet Clinic
Apex West, which owns the ponies, says the attack must have been "terrifying" for them

Four therapy ponies which are used to help children with special educational needs have been found injured in their field.

It is thought the ponies, which are looked after by Apex West as part of a charitable trust in Somerset, were attacked by a dog sometime between 18:00 GMT on Tuesday and 10:00 the following morning.

The White Lodge Vet Clinic said they were found hurt in their paddock near Conygar Woods, in Minehead, at about 09:30 on Wednesday.

Avon and Somerset Police is investigating the incident, which Michelle Craig from Apex West described as "distressing".

"We noticed that some of the ponies had what we believed at first to be superficial injuries," Ms Craig said.

"Then when we brought all of them in and gave them a thorough examination, we realised that actually four of the five ponies had some sort of injury or had blood on them."

News imageWhite Lodge Vet Clinic A close-up of a brown pony's face. It is dark brown but has lighter brown hair on its nose. You can see its messy mane, which has some grass and hay stuck in it. It has dark brown eyes and its two front feet can just be made out in the picture. It appears to be standing inside a barn, with metal farm gates visible in the background.White Lodge Vet Clinic
The ponies were injured in their field overnight, in what is thought to have been a dog attack

Apex West is part of the Bridgwater and Taunton College Trust and offers "bespoke off-site provision" for vulnerable young adults, including specialist therapy with these ponies.

Ms Craig said the animals had been "hand-picked" for their character and for being "very gentle".

"They're really sweet little ponies," she added. "They are really popular with children that access the centre and for them to experience that, it must have been absolutely terrifying for them."

The field where the ponies were found hurt is close to a walking route and it is thought a dog is to blame for the injuries.

Avon and Somerset Police appealed for anyone who saw the injured ponies or witnessed an out-of-control dog in the area at the time to get in touch.

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